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The current energy crisis has shown all states that energy from renewable sources can be a determining factor in the states’ sustainable development. Several papers have studied the relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic development, finding various situations, but there is no consensus. Thus, this study aims to first investigate the causal relationship between economic growth and total and sectoral renewable energy consumption (European Union and each Member State, for 2004–2020) by testing various linear and non-linear regressions to choose the fit model. Second, the investigation extends to analysing the impact of renewable energy consumption by sector on economic development. A hybrid approach is used, namely structural equation modelling and artificial neural networks. The study findings indicate the effect and the meaning (directly or inversely) exerted by the three sectoral components on economic growth, with different intensities from one country to another. There is a significant influence on the consumption of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sectors and transport on gross domestic product at the European Union level and for most member states. Based on the obtained results, a series of theoretical, practical, and political implications are provided.

The undertaken research investigates the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model from the perspective of online education in the deadliest period of COVID-19. This research investigates the extended dimensions, for instance, mobile self-efficacy and perceived enjoyment besides traditional elements of the UTAUT model with the relationship of behavioural intention and user behaviour of LMS. Since the COVID-19 led to social isolation (SIS), thus, this study has incorporated SIS as mediating factor and fear of COVID-19 (FOC) as the moderating factor for the considered extended model of UTAUT. The data of 1875 respondents was collected from five different Asian countries. For the data analysis, this study employed structural equation modeling through PLS-SEM and condition process modeling. This research demonstrates that the extended dimensions such as mobile self-efficacy, besides the traditional elements of the UTAUT model, exerted a cogent impact on behavioural intention except for the perceived enjoyment. Similarly, the behavioural intention demonstrated a substantial effect on the user behaviour of LMS. Additionally, social isolation as a mediating factor and FOC has a significant effect between dimensions of extended UTAUT model and behavioural intention of LMS. The outcomes of this research demonstrate significant theoretical and practical implications during the COVID-19 pandemic. First published online 30 November 2021

The paper performed comparative assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends and climate change mitigation policies in the fuel combustion sector of selected EU member states with similar economic development levels and historical pasts, and implementing main EU energy and climate change mitigation policies, having achieved different success in GHG emission reduction. The impact of climate change mitigation policies on GHG emission reduction was assessed based on analysis of countries’ reports to UNFCCC by identifying the key areas of GHG emission reduction, their GHG emission reduction potential, and the driving forces behind them. The study revealed that climate change mitigation policies that have been implemented so far in Bulgaria are less efficient than in Lithuania, as Bulgaria places priorities not on energy efficiency improvement and penetration of renewable energy sources, but on switching from coal to natural gas. The policy implications for strengthening GHG emissions reduction efforts are provided based on analysis conducted.

The main objective of the research study was to formulate the attitudes of SMEs that appropriately characterize the field of HRM. In a second step, these attitudes were compared in the three most important business sectors in the V4 countries. Data collection was carried out by the external agency MNFORCE using the "Computer Assisted Web Interviewing" in June 2022. The sample of 995 respondents consisted of SMEs belonging to the three most important sectors according to the number of respondents in each V4 country. The statistical hypotheses were tested using descriptive statistics and Z-scores at a significance level of α = 5%. According to our findings, SMEs in the V4 countries consider people in the firm as the most important asset, and statistically significant differences were found within the sample set. SMEs confirmed that they consider HRM as the most important area of corporate management. The empirical research showed the existence of statistically significant differences between the assessed sectors. In view of the previous results, the approach to staff performance appraisal and motivation can be considered appropriate. No statistically significant differences within the sample were found. The manufacturing sector demonstrated the best approach to each HRM claim in the V4 countries, followed by the trade and service sectors.

Purpose: This research explores the relationship between factors that play a crucial role in e-commerce. This research aimed to check the direct relationship between customer engagement, innovation, and behavior of consumers towards phygital products on patronage intention. Furthermore, this study has explored the mediating role of the behavior of consumers toward phygital products and the moderating role of the level of innovation and sustainable consumption on the direct relationship between customer engagement and patronage intention toward phygital products. Method: This study applied decision tree analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and artificial neural networks (ANN) to test all these proposed relationships. The data was collected from 412 Pakistani internet users who used different shopping applications. Moreover, JASP 0.19.0.0 was employed for analysis, and the data was collected on existing scales. Findings: The findings show that customer engagement, innovation, personalization, and sustainable consumption significantly affect patronage intentions. However, the moderating effect of consumer behavior was not supportive in this study. Decision tree analysis offered a transparent, interpretable framework for comprehending these dynamics, while the neural network model exposed the nonlinear relationships between these variables. Originality/implications: This study provides new insights into phygital marketing, notably in Pakistan's fast-growing e-commerce sector. The insights can help marketers optimize their strategy in increasingly linked physical and digital experiences.

The present research assesses the agri-environmental sustainability of the Baltic states, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, while analyzing agricultural biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, land utilization, energy use, and water management. For the purpose of these evaluations and ranking, we employ the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), applied to a set of agri-environmental indicators (AES) collected from various sources, including Eurostat and similar databases. This knowledge is necessary to help policymakers or agricultural managers who are interested in developing more sustainable agriculture in the region. That is why, according to the findings, the highest AES value is attributed to Latvia, followed by Lithuania and Estonia. Conservation methods that were essential included High-Nature-Value farmland, bird populations in agricultural habitats, organic farming, and water. It emphasizes the use of Multi-Criteria Decision Making tools for combining both qualitative and quantitative data and form the general framework for sustainability assessment. Another goal of this research is to fill the gap in the literature regarding the lack of attention paid to agri-environmental sustainability in the Baltic area in general. This, therefore, suggests that assessing the strengths or weaknesses of these nation-states provides critical information that can inform the change of land management practices, nutrition practices in agriculture, and the ability of the natural world to adapt. The findings will be useful to governmental leaders and individuals involved in agriculture who need to find a balance between economic growth and conservation, as well as scholars working to improve the international measures for agri-environmental assessment.

In today’s competitive and environmentally conscious industries, the ability of organizations to adapt and respond is more important than ever. This study focuses on overcoming the obstacles faced by the Iranian automobile sector by highlighting the significance of incorporating green supply chain techniques. The research intends to integrate organizational operations with environmental sustainability goals by utilizing a MULTIMOORA strategy for supplier selection. The Iranian automobile sector, facing substantial environmental challenges, requires a strategy framework for selecting environmentally friendly suppliers in order to sustain competitiveness and fulfill ecological obligations. The study develops a supplier selection model based on extensive research and expert knowledge. The Delphi and MULTIMOORA techniques are employed to assess and prioritize suppliers according to green criteria, assuring conformity with environmental goals. Data are collected by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature and engaging in conversations with industry experts in order to acquire information for the construction of the model. The results emphasize the crucial significance of trust-based relationships with suppliers, rigorous compliance with quality standards in new product development, and substantial investment in employee training and development. Sector analysts view these characteristics as crucial for promoting sustainability and gaining a competitive advantage in the Iranian vehicle sector. This study provides firms with strategic instruments to effectively negotiate the intricacies of green supply chain management, with a particular focus on the need for adopting sustainable practices while selecting suppliers in the dynamic and competitive context of the Iranian automobile industry.

This research examines the challenges of female business graduate entrepreneurs; we have developed a modified conceptual framework in which willingness to become an entrepreneur has been taken as a dependent variable. However, financial, cultural, marketing, and technological challenges are independent variables. Additionally, we incorporated competitiveness as a mediation variable between independent and dependent variables. The competitiveness could be beneficial to the female business graduates’ entrepreneurs and might be reduced by their financial, marketing, cultural, and technological challenges. The data was collected through a modified structured questionnaire from the entrepreneurs of female business graduates. The information was collected from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka; we have collected 386 responses for the period from February 2021 to July 2021. We employed a structural equation modelingbased (SEM-based) multivariate approach and conditional process modeling for the data analysis. The findings of this research exhibit that the financial challenges, cultural challenges, marketing challenges, and technological challenges have a significant negative impact on female business entrepreneurs. These are the constraints that restrict female business graduates’ entrepreneurial opportunities. On the other hand, the mediation analysis showed that competitiveness has a positive and significant impact between financial challenges, cultural challenges, marketing challenges, & technological challenges, and willingness to become an entrepreneur. The perfect mediation of competitiveness established that the business success of SMEs does not rely on the individuals’ competencies and success factors only, but organizational competitiveness is equally essential for organizational performance.

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of a firm as one of the critical factors to improve the competitiveness of the firm in today’s aggressive market environment. The influence of corporate social responsibility on brand loyalty and brand image, which distinguishes the firm from other competitors, was evaluated in the study. Data from 364 consumers were collected through adapted and structured questionnaires for the period from August 2018 to December 2018. The respondents were selected through convenience sampling to generate the responses of individual online consumers who buy luxury goods online. The sample size of 364 was taken from a simple random table with a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence level. SEM-based multivariate approaches such as structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis were employed, and SmartPLS 3.0 software was used for the data evaluation. The results indicate that the firm’s CSR initiatives have a significant and positive impact on brand loyalty and brand image. The study undertaken has several theoretical and practical implications which could provide the basic foundations and conceptual framework for future studies, and it offers strategic directions for the senior managers of firms to plan CSR initiatives that can enhance the brand loyalty of their brands and also increase corporate reputation, all of which are beneficial to remain competitive in today’s business arena.

Research background: The commercial banks are adopting online services for their transactions to stay competitive and fulfill the customers' needs. There is a dire need to satisfy online customers in a competitive environment. Thus, this paper employed the ES-QUAL model and two mediating variables and outlined the recommendations to the management of the online banking industry to develop effective strategies. Purpose of the article: The undertaken research aimed to examine the electronic banking service quality and customer satisfaction. For this purpose, we employed the ES-QUAL model and examined the direct impact of ES-QUAL dimensions and customer’s satisfaction. The secondary task of this paper is to investigate the mediation effect of customer's trust and the perceived value in an association between the ES-QUAL model and customer satisfaction. Finally, we examine and check whether customer satisfaction translates into the business performance of commercial banks or not. Methods: To achieve the overall goal of this research, SEM-based multivariate approach has been used, including confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple approaches (normal theory, and bootstrapping) to examine the moderation between the exogenous and endogenous variables. For the validation of hypotheses and results, a financial analysis has been performed simultaneously with the primary analysis. The research is done for a sample of 910 respondents of the account holders of five top commercial banks of Pakistan. Findings & Value added: The outcomes of the direct investigation revealed an affirmative, and potent impact of ES-QUAL dimensions on customer’s satisfaction. The outcomes of the indirect relationship exhibited that the perceived value and trust mediate ES-QUAL dimensions and customer satisfaction. The secondary data of selected five commercial banks and ratios analysis validated the results of the ES-QUAL model, and it is concluded that the results are linear with the outcomes of customers' satisfaction of primary analysis.

The development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is formed by several cultural, economic, social, political and institutional factors which have an impact on setting the priorities and advancement of CSR practices. The aim of this study is to assess CSR performance at the country level. In order to achieve this aim, the main drivers and barriers of CSR initiatives were identified and systematized based on literature review. The policies to address these barriers were analysed and discussed. The framework for the assessment of CSR performance was developed based on the analysis and assessment of the quality of political-regulatory, economic and social environment, implemented public policies to promote CSR and successes that were achieved by countries in implementing recommendations for public policy advancement. The indicators from Venture Capital and Private Equity Country Attractiveness Index, CSR policies areas reviews and EU recommendations for the improvement of public policies linked to the CSR were applied for assessing the CSR performance. The empirical analysis and the assessment of CSR performance in the Baltic States was performed based on the developed framework and policy recommendations that were developed for other countries, taking into account the priorities of “The Belt and Road” project that was initiated by the Chinese government and aiming at sustainable development and global risk mitigation.

The empirical study was conducted in the three selected Balkan Countries from former Yugoslavia: Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro through totally 270 experts’ surveys, 90 questionnaires were distributed to entrepreneurs (30), policy makers (30) and experts from academia (30) in each country in order to assess the CSR level in the country and the effect the main drivers having on CSR level, then followed by the assessment of CSR impacts on Corporate Reputation (CR). The model of multivariate regression was developed for assessment of the impact of the four independent variables (Institutional Environment, Executive Characteristics, Customers’ Expectations and Political Factors) on dependent variable–CSR. The study also analysed the impact of CSR (dependent variable) on CR. The obtained results show that countries with the higher level of CSR, have achieved the greater level of CR. The degree of the impact of the main drivers on CSR in selected Balkan countries is linked to EU accession level. The political factor has the highest impact on CSR level in all investigated countries, institutional environment is the next.

The paper deals with the exposition of the main barriers and drivers of renewable energy usage in rural communities. Climate change mitigation is causing governments, policymakers, and international organizations worldwide to embark on policies, leading to increased use of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency. Climate change mitigation actions, including the Green Deal strategy in the EU, require satisfying the expanding energy demand and complying with the environmental restrictions. At the same time, the prevailing market structure and infrastructure relevant to the energy systems are undergoing a crucial transformation. Specifically, there has been a shift from centralized to more decentralized and interactive energy systems that are accompanied by a low-carbon energy transition. Smart Grid technology and other innovations in the area of renewable energy microgeneration technologies have enabled changes in terms of the roles of energy users: they can act as prosumers that are producing and consuming energy at the same time. Renewable energy generation that is allowing for deeper involvement of the citizens may render higher social acceptance, which, in turn, fuels the low-carbon energy transition. The collective energy prosumption in the form of energy cooperatives has become a widespread form of renewable energy initiatives in rural communities. Even though renewable energy consumption provides a lot of benefits and opportunities for rural communities, the fast penetration of renewables and energy prosumption encounter several important barriers in the rural areas. This paper analyses the main barriers and drivers of renewable energy initiatives in rural areas and provides policy implications for the low-carbon energy transition in rural areas.

At the beginning, the article briefly describes the features of the marketing complex household goods. Also provides an overview of some aspects of the market for indoor air purifiers. The specific subject of the study was the process of consumer choice of household appliances for cleaning air in living quarters. The aim of the study was to substantiate and develop a computer model for evaluating by the potential buyers devices for air purification in conditions of vagueness and ambiguity of their consumer preferences. Accordingly, the main consumer criteria are identified, substantiated and described when buyers choose air purifiers. As methods of research, approaches based on fuzzy logic, fuzzy sets theory and fuzzy modeling were chosen. It was hypothesized that the fuzzy-multiple model allows rather accurately reflect consumer preferences and potential consumer choice in conditions of insufficient and undetermined information. Further, a computer model for estimating the consumer qualities of air cleaners by customers is developed. A proposed approach based on the application of fuzzy logic theory and practical modeling in the specialized computer software MATLAB. In this model, the necessary membership functions and their terms are constructed, as well as a set of rules for fuzzy inference to make decisions on the estimation of a specific air purifier. A numerical example of a comparative evaluation of air cleaners presented on the Ukrainian market is made and is given. Numerical simulation results confirmed the applicability of the proposed approach and the correctness of the hypothesis advanced about the possibility of modeling consumer behavior using fuzzy logic. The analysis of the obtained results is carried out and the prospects of application, development, and improvement of the developed model and the proposed approach are determined.

Renewable energy has become a significant market player after the turn of the millennium. Wind, solar, smart grid and further renewable energy stocks have experienced both serious up and down trends since that time. In this paper, computed the Minimal Spanning Tree (MST) and Sub-Dominant Ultrametric (SDU) for topological properties of what has been driving the price of renewable energy stock markets and sectors. In this regard, the main object is to define the similarity among sectors in financial market, which is statistically a multivariate time series. The principal mathematical tool to do macro analysis is multivariate vector correlation where multi-dimensional data is considered as a complex system. Furthermore, the base approach for filtering the significant information in a financial system is similarity network analysis. In this paper, the behavior of economic sectors of renewable energy played during 30th July 2015 – 1th January 2018 in America. Results of this study found that, solar sector in renewable energy is confirmed as the dominant sector in America during this period. In addition, results demonstrated that, the leader sector is Solar and the central hubs are Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ)from Solar and then Pattern Energy Group Inc. (PEGI)from Solar-Wind sectors.

This paper aims at developing the theoretical framework for linking the CSR of energy utilities with sustainable energy development achievements and at applying this framework in selected countries. The main issues of CSR relevant to the energy sector are discussed, and a comparative analysis of CSR reports of energy utilities and sustainable energy development trends in the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) is performed based on the developed framework. There are three main interlinked sustainable energy development targets: increase in energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and GHG emission reduction. The significance of CSR in the energy sector is underlined based on the literature review, and the state policies to promote CSR in the energy sector are discussed and critically assessed based on the case studies of three Baltic States. The CSR practices of energy utilities of the Baltic States were assessed and compared with sustainable energy development achievements in these countries, based on the analysis of sustainable energy development trends. Estonia achieved the best results in approaching all sustainable energy development targets and was ranked with the highest scores in CSR ranking among the Baltic States, followed by Lithuania. The results of the case studies demonstrate that the Baltic countries have achieved different results in sustainable energy development progress, and the role of energy utilities and their corporate sustainability practices may have huge impacts on the achievement of sustainable energy development targets.

This paper discusses and elicits consumer attitudes towards industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (ICCS) products and technologies. It presents a comprehensive review of the relevant research literature on consumer attitudes towards ICCS represented by the willingness-to-pay (WTP) and willingness-to-accept (WTA) negative externalities and outcomes of the carbon capture and storage (the so-called “not-in-my-backyard” (NIMBY) approach). In addition, it employs a concise empirical model that uses the data from the online questionnaire survey conducted in 7 European Union (EU) countries with and without ICSS sites. Our results demonstrate that having at least one ICCS site significantly reduces the WTA for the ICCS products and technologies. It is shown that further increase of ICCS sites, including those in the neighboring regions and countries, leads to the increase of negative consumer attitudes to the ICCS technologies and renewable energy policies. It becomes apparent that the majority of consumers are willing to support industrial CO2 capture and storage only if it happens far away from their dwellings. The outcomes of this paper might be informative for the EU local industries and policy-makers who are planning the location of ICCS sites and optimizing the public support for their endeavors. Moreover, they might be relevant for the stakeholders dealing with the threat of climate change and the necessity for the decarbonization of the economy.